From the experts:“Finding a new way to build camaraderie among our nursing staff has been critical to invigorating staff and establishing a new sense of teamwork. While team huddles are brief, their effects are lasting and have helped our nurses reconnect and function as a team.”

Mary Beth Thomas, R.N.Staff Nurse 4 MainUPMC Shadyside

Profile:University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is composed of 19 hospitals and a network of other care sites across western Pennsylvania and throughout the world.

Innovation implementation:With the conversion to the electronic health record (e-record) at UPMC, nurses began using computers on wheels (COW). As a result, nurses no longer need to go to the central nurses' station to use a computer, review a chart or sign off on doctor's orders. They tend to stay with their COW in locations closest to their assigned patients' rooms.

Staff complained about feeling isolated and experiencing a loss of collegiality because they no longer cross paths with their coworkers. It also has negatively affected the ability of seasoned nurses to mentor new staff.

To respond to the isolation, nurses are now called to a “Vitality Huddle” between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. via the unit's call system. The nurses gather in the workroom near the nurses' station for 10-15 minutes to interact and focus on relationship building. Nothing clinical is discussed. Sometimes there is a theme, such as “Tell us about your best friend” or “What is your favorite movie?” and sometimes it's just to get a snack and have a few minutes to be social.

Advice and lessons learned:

Make the time positive. Make sure any activity or theme is focused on a positive subject.

Keep it light. Meetings are intended to be fun and build a sense of camaraderie, so it's important to keep the topics light.

Cost/benefit estimate:Five to eight nurses attend each time and huddles occur three to five times per week. Staff members greatly enjoy the huddles, and the evening shift has started them as well.

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